ECB Maiden Voyage and Fuel Question

[hawgheaven]

I finally fired up the new ECB yesterday... what a different experience that was, compared to my CG!

I had previously modified this unit by adding two top vents, a bottom slider vent, added a charcoal grate, and sealed the lid to the body somewhat. All seemed to work well, but at first, my temps were SPIKED! I finally got it "settled down" to 300 - 325 and smoked a fatty (which turned out awesome, BTW).

Here's the question(s): What are you ECB owners using for fuel? Lump? Briquets? I used lump and a couple of chunks of hickory. I filled the water pan about half full with water. I am thinking that the lump burns too hot for this unit...?

I did take some Q-view of the event, which I will post later this afternoon.

 

[hawgheaven]

Nudge...

 

[greazy]

I use briquettes w a fist-sized chunk of mesquite or pecan.

 

[walking dude]

this new Kingsford charchol formula is a joke.......burns up almost as fast as lump

i use Royal Oak.........WAY cheaper than kingsford........i have tried lump.........burns up WAY too fast for the money it costs.......

i use hickory chunks and apple and cherry chips.....no soaking.........

i need to make those mods also hawg.........WAY easier to keep ahandle on temps..........but NO problems on that brisket, as far as controlling temps........250 all nite.....

check out this link........
http://www.randyq.addr.com/ecb/ecbmods.html


what did you use for a charchol grate?


dude

 

[ajthepoolman]

I use electricity as my fuel!

I do throw on a chunk of hickory for smoke, but not for heat.

 

[chadpole]

Hawg, I have electric, propane, and charcoal ECB units. When I use electric I put hickory or oak chunks on the electric element. When I use charcoal I use soaked mesquite chips or hickory chips in a smoker box for smoke.When propane is used I have a skillet with soaked chips for smoke.

 

[hawgheaven]

what did you use for a charchol grate?[/quote]
I used a Weber charcoal grate for their 18 1/2" kettle grill... I think it measures 13" or 14" in diameter... fits perfectly.

Thanks for the responses folks... this thing is very new to me. I'll try briquets next time... I think the lump burns way too hot for that application. I had temps over 400 degrees!

 

[redbrinkman1955]

I use electric then throw on water soaked wood chips it kinda of set it and forget it dont have to look at the meat but I drilled a hole in the top to spray apple cider vinager thru every hour.Charcoal is so much harder as I am finding out
Good Luck and Good Smoking
Redbrinkman1955

 

[walking dude]

hehehe......you guys and your lectric and propane........when this thread is under Charchol Smokers...........

dude

 

[deejaydebi]

I use regular charcoal brikettes in my ECB. The lump tends to get to hot and burn up fast. Put a pile of about 10 to 12 brickettes around the bottom and stack em two high then throw about 8 to 10 hot ones on top. It'll burn for about 3 hours before you need fuel again.

Use wood chunks about the size of your fist or smaller if you can help it and mix a few between the charcoal piles and a few on top.

I use an oval bend to round broiler pan for my coals lost of holes in the botton for air and I just give the ECB a kick to knock the coal ash down - $1 at Job lot. Works great.

 

[peculiarmike]

Next time fill your water pan full. Or fill it with sand. That pan is the buffer that keeps direct heat from the fire from grilling what you are smoking. It has nothing to do with "moisture".
Don't seal your lid to the smoker body.
Lump burns just fine in my ECB, it's all I use. I burn Best Choice lump.
$.02.

 

[walking dude]

at the moment i am using a pizza pan........the kind with the holes all over the place, till i can locate a weber charchol rack

dude